The Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) is a small state agency that manages grant programs to create outdoor recreation opportunities, protect the best of the state’s wildlife habitat and working farms and forests, and help return salmon and orcas from near extinction.
The Farmland Preservation Grants aim to ensure the availability of farmlands for future farming by funding the acquisition of development rights. These grants support the restoration of natural functions to enhance the land's farming viability, under the broader goal of preserving significant natural areas for outdoor recreation, wildlife conservation, and farmland preservation. This initiative aligns with efforts to sustainably manage and protect agricultural and recreational lands in response to population growth and environmental challenges.